So Sad.. R.I.P.: Adrien Peterson's 2 Year Old Son Dies After Allegedly Being Beat By His Baby Mother's Boyfriend!

(CNN) -- A 2-year-old boy who was reportedly the son of Minnesota
Vikings star Adrian Peterson died Friday of injuries he suffered after
allegedly being abused, police said. Sioux Falls, South Dakota, police
said Joseph Robert Patterson, 27, has
been charged with aggravated battery of an infant and aggravated
assault. If convicted on the charges, both felonies, Patterson could face
up to 40 years in prison and an $80,000 fine.

Prosecutors are considering filing additional charges against Patterson
in light of the boy's death, according to police.
Soon after the news came out of the boy's death, Adrian Peterson took
to Twitter to express his gratitude to his family, fans and the "fraternity
of brothers" in the NFL for their support.

"God Bless everyone and thank u so much," he wrote.

Patterson called authorities about 5:45 p.m. Wednesday to a report that
a 2-year-old was choking in his Sioux Falls apartment, police
spokesman Sam Clemens said. Officers arrived to find that the toddler
was unresponsive, and he was rushed to a nearby hospital.

Authorities determined that the child had suffered injuries to his head
consistent with abuse, according to Clemens. Police said Patterson,
whom they described as the boyfriend of the injured child's mother, was
the only other person in the residence at the time.

The suspect -- who was given suspended sentences a year ago for
simple domestic assault and violation of a domestic abuse bond, both
misdemeanors -- was arrested Thursday night, said Lincoln County,
South Dakota, State's Attorney Tom Wollman. A judge set his bail at
$750,000 cash during his initial court appearance Friday, according to
Clemens.